AAEQ vs VYM
Alpha Architect US Equity 2 ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, AAEQ or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 38.0%.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | AAEQ | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $506M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.09% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 353 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +10.85% | +11.35%Best |
| 1Y Return | - | +15.34% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +17.22% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.30% |
| Top 10 Weight | 38.0% | 26.1%Best |
| Fund Family | Alpha Architect | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Dec 9, 2025 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Volatility (annualized), Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window.
AAEQ vs VYM growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
AAEQ vs VYM Performance
Alpha Architect US Equity 2 ETF (AAEQ) is an ETF from Alpha Architect and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Year to date, AAEQ is up 10.85% versus a gain of 11.35% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Fees and Cost Over Time
AAEQ charges 0.09% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $4 annually, a gap of $5 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, AAEQ currently yields 0.09% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
34.1% of AAEQ's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 78.4% of VYM's money is in holdings AAEQ also owns.
Most of VYM is already inside AAEQ. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
149 positions in common, counted across the 293 positions we hold weights for in AAEQ and 557 in VYM, against full books of 353 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 379 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for AAEQ (18.7% of the fund), and 143 for AAEQ that do not appear in VYM (65.8%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in AAEQ | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 2.81% | 7.35% | 4.54% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 1.50% | 3.82% | 2.32% |
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 1.04% | 2.63% | 1.59% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 1.08% | 2.51% | 1.43% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 0.71% | 1.86% | 1.15% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 0.72% | 1.80% | 1.08% |
| CATCaterpillar, Inc. | 0.61% | 1.50% | 0.89% |
| UNHUnitedhealth Group Incorporated | 0.58% | 1.52% | 0.94% |
| CVXChevron Corp | 0.61% | 1.48% | 0.87% |
| KOCoca Cola Co. | 0.57% | 1.38% | 0.81% |
78.4% of VYM is already inside AAEQ.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, AAEQ or VYM?
AAEQ has an expense ratio of 0.09% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $5 a year on a $10,000 investment.
What is the holdings overlap between AAEQ and VYM?
78.4% of VYM's money is in holdings AAEQ also owns. 78.4% of VYM's is in holdings AAEQ also owns. They hold 149 positions in common, counted across the 293 positions we hold weights for in AAEQ and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, AAEQ or VYM?
AAEQ yields 0.09% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than AAEQ?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 38.0%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.